cuica

A squeaking drum? The cuica is the elegant and eloquent Southamerican sister of the medieval European 'string drum' or 'lion's roar'. A thin bamboo stick is tied into a goat skin head, the head is then fitted onto a shell. By rubbing the stick with a damp piece of cloth, the skin vibrates and produces sounds. In many countries, this ancient technique is widely spread. You can play simple rhythms or virtuos melodies - the cuica is full of surprises!